| 释义 |
equivocal, a. and n.|ɪˈkwɪvəkəl|
Also 7 equi-, æquivocall, 7–9 æquivocal.
[f. late L. æquivoc-us ambiguous (f. æquus equal + voc-āre to call) + -al1.]
A. adj.
†1. Equal or the same in name (with something else) but not in reality; having a name, without the qualities it implies; nominal. Obs.
1643Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. i. §12 This visible world is but a picture of the invisible, wherein, as in a pourtract, things are not truely, but in equivocall shapes. 1661Ussher Power Princes i. (1683) 34 They being subject to the over⁓sight..of the Ephori, were but equivocal Kings, such in name, but not in deed. 1744Berkeley Siris. §210 From the sun's light, which is corporeal, there springs forth another equivocal light which is incorporeal.
2. Of words, phrases, etc.: Having different significations equally appropriate or plausible; capable of double interpretation; ambiguous.
1601–2W. Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 68 Your libel..should be certaine, and without ambiguous or equiuocall tearmes. 1604Shakes. Oth. i. iii. 217 These Sentences, to Sugar, or to Gall, Being strong on both sides, are Equiuocall. 1656Cowley Pindar. Odes Note 47 These vast accounts arose from the æquivocal term of a Year among them. 1712F. T. Shorthand 25 Even in Long-Hand oftentimes equivocal Abbreviations are often written. 1756–7tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) IV. 208 He..takes care that his answers be so equivocal as always to secure him a retreat. 1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) VI. 187 There was perhaps no word in the language of more equivocal effect than the word or. 1868Gladstone Juv. Mundi vii. (1870) 184 To say..that the Greek religion as it grew old improved..would be to use equivocal and misleading language.
b. Of evidence, manifestations, etc.: Of uncertain bearing or significance.
1769Junius Lett. xxvii. 126 Some..less equivocal proofs of his munificence. 1794Sullivan View Nat. V. 87 No very equivocal symptom of antiquity. 1842H. Rogers Ess. I. i. 3 An equivocal indication of merit.
c. nonce-use. Of a person: Expressing himself in equivocal terms.
1601Shakes. All's Well v. iii. 249 As thou art a knaue and no knaue, what an equiuocall Companion is this?
3. Of uncertain nature; not admitting of being classified, ‘nondescript’. equivocal generation: the (supposed) production of plants or animals without parents; spontaneous generation.
1658Sir T. Browne Hydr. & Gard. Cyrus 51 The æquivocal production of things under undiscerned principles, makes a large part of generation. 1662Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. i. iv. §9 Born by the same æquivocall generation that mice and frogs are from the impregnated slime of the earth. 1677Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iv. ii. 306 Whether those imperfect or equivocal Animals were created or no, it is not altogether clear. 1724Swift Drapier's Lett. vii, If any new ones [party and faction] spring up, they must be of equivocal generation, without any seed. 1772–84Cook Voy. (1790) I. 29 The sea was tinged..with these equivocal substances. 1796C. Marshall Garden. ii. 16 Equivocal generation we reject. 1830Scott Demonol. v. 143 The equivocal spirits called fairies. 1863Lyell Antiq. Man xx. 391 The old doctrine of equivocal or spontaneous generation.
b. Of sentiments, etc.: Undecided, not determined to either side. Chiefly in negative sentences.
1791Burke Corr. (1844) III. 219, I am sure the sentiments of London were not equivocal. 1845S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref. I. 139 The equivocal and half hostile attitude he had assumed.
c. Music. equivocal chord: one which may be resolved into different keys without changing any of its tones.
4. Of advantages, merits, etc.: Dubiously genuine, questionable.
a1797H. Walpole Mem. Geo. III (1845) I. ii. 19 A Churchman..whose sanctity was as equivocal as their own. 1846Prescott Ferd. & Is. II. xix 191 In the sciences their success was more equivocal. 1847Disraeli Tancred ii. vii, Without that equivocal luxury, a great country-house. 1878R. B. Smith Carthage 159 To set against this equivocal gain, the Romans had lost 700 ships.
5. Of persons, callings, tendencies, etc.: Doubtful in character or reputation; liable to unfavourable comment or description; questionable; suspicious.
1790Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 247, I shall always..consider that liberty as very equivocal in her appearance, which has not wisdom and justice for her companions. 1831Lytton Godolph. 12 The equivocal mode of life he had entered upon. 1863Geo. Eliot Romola ii. xxi, The preparations for the equivocal guest.
†B. n. An equivocal word or term; a homonym.
1653Urquhart Rabelais i. ix, æquivocals so absurd and witlesse that, etc. 1668Wilkins Real Char. 17 Great variety of Equivocals. So the word Bill signifies both a Weapon, a Bird's Beak, and a written Scroul. 1715Bentley Serm. x. (1735) 360 The scandalous shifts of Equivocals and Mental Restrictions. a1734Dennis (J.), Shall two or three wretched equivocals have the force to corrupt us? 1775in Ash; and in mod. Dicts. |